I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

9 April 2015

My Dear Volkswagen

What a little hero you were
in the poem I wrote you.

I gave you a voice,
dreams, a personality.

I told your story —
how you almost drowned

going all the way under,
spluttering, but hauled back out.

It was a fine poem. 
It even rhymed.

It was published several times —
twice in anthologies for schools!

Dear Volkswagen,
it isn't your fault. It's me.

You are the one, if any,
I shall be remembered for 

(though it's actually you
who'll be remembered)

so I should be grateful, but
our relationship's gone stale 

after so long reciting you by heart
on any and every occasion,

knowing just where to put 
each pause and inflection

just how to use
and manipulate you

parading you before the crowd,
stripping you to your soul

then smiling for applause
which really belongs to you.

The thing is, dear Volkswagen,
you are Everyman (Everywoman)

and everyone relates. Only I
no longer love you. It's very sad.


Today's prompt for 'Poems in April' at 'imaginary garden with real toads' we are asked to write about a poem of our own that we've fallen out of love with.  At dVerse we are asked to write a letter poem. I've combined them. 

 The original poem is The Day We Lost the Volkswagen
By -
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24 comments:

  1. Lisa9 April 2015 at 10:10

    I love it so

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  2. Sanaa Rizvi9 April 2015 at 11:18

    Expressed with a whole load of sincerity and passion... beautifully written.. :D
    xoxo

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  3. Debi Swim9 April 2015 at 11:35

    Love this Rosemary. Made me think of Billy Collins style

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  4. Mary9 April 2015 at 11:38

    There really is something about a Volkswagen, I think. What's not to love? Smiles. I really get attached to cars, have a hard time when it is time to sell them. I have never had a Volkswagen though. Smiles.

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  5. Susie Clevenger9 April 2015 at 12:14

    I wonder if singers feel this way about songs? I'm feeling this one.

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  6. Anonymous9 April 2015 at 12:23

    A very nice write. In our case we had to sell our VW because every time we tried to put the kids seat in the back, we hit our heads on the door frame. That killed our love too, but not the fond memories.

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  7. Heidi9 April 2015 at 12:28

    I love it. I feel this way about one of my stories

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  8. Helen9 April 2015 at 13:06

    My 2001 VW Cabrio convertible & I love your poem!

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  9. Ella9 April 2015 at 13:17

    I love VW and it is sad, but you did sad in a great way~

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  10. Katie Mia Frederick9 April 2015 at 13:37

    OH GOD.. i have a Passport for literally 15 years and never really
    go anywhere of value in it.. i loved that Passport.. even though
    it cannot take me places i truly wanna go..
    And now there's a Civic.. a Honda too..
    I no longer love cars..
    People are my
    cars
    now..:)

    And yes.. i write
    Poem for the Passport
    when i sell it away
    too..:)

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  11. Outlawyer9 April 2015 at 13:41

    Ha. Very clever, Rosemary--and easy to relate to. Thanks. k.

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  12. grapeling9 April 2015 at 13:50

    :) I once had a VW. Overheated on the freeway. Lost my love right then. ~

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  13. Anonymous9 April 2015 at 14:13

    Inflection gone? that says it all

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  14. Jim9 April 2015 at 15:09

    I think I would like your Volkswagen, Rosemary. Literally, I used to own a '62 white VW with a fold back cloth roof. After it stranded me one time that I was trying to run away I bought a used '69 Thunderbird that would 'take me anyplace.'
    So really I would like the poem, I hope it Volkswagen is still in the title.
    ..

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  15. Marina Sofia9 April 2015 at 17:35

    What a story behind that poem - the car and the previous poem both! How we can fall in and out of love with objects and even our own creations. Stale through repetition? I enjoyed this very much.

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  16. Anonymous9 April 2015 at 18:57

    Really nice poem!

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  17. Marian9 April 2015 at 19:57

    Gosh I just love both poems, and can appreciate (hence the prompt) that feeling of just being DONE with it, even though people like it (and should like it). This is so lovely, and I am so glad you shared it. I am glad to know the VW poem (my folks had not one but 3 VW buses when I was a kid) and to know you a bit better through all of this, too.

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  18. Gabriella10 April 2015 at 00:13

    VW are wonderful cars. I have had a few myself.

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  19. Sherry Blue Sky10 April 2015 at 01:15

    I LOVE it, and know just what you mean by knowing too well every inflection of those old faves........this made me smile!

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  20. Jennifer Wagner10 April 2015 at 02:36

    Perfectly expressed, Rosemary! I can relate.

    I really wanted a VW Super Beetle when I was younger--never got one, but I did have a Rabbit for a while.

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  21. Hannah10 April 2015 at 04:22

    Love the personification of the VW!! Well done!!

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  22. Prajakta10 April 2015 at 14:50

    This was great :) I like how you are connecting with your car - it is an integral witness to some profound moments.

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  23. Anonymous11 April 2015 at 13:50

    How tragic to have something important that becomes so mundane that it becomes undesirable. Nicely done with the letter!

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